The co-founders of My Food Bag, Cecilia and James Robinson, are selling their multi-million-dollar Auckland bungalow.
The four-bedroom, three bathroom home at 18 Lingarth Street in Remuera - marketed by UP agent Jo Johnstone - has been extensively renovated by the enterprising couple who launched the meal delivery company in 2013 with Masterchef winner Nadia Lim.
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It has a 2017 CV of $3.2 million and goes under the hammer on September 24.
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Cecilia told OneRoof that the decision to move was largely driven by an itch to take on a new renovation project, although her children - Thomas, 8, and Leila, 4 – would be sad to leave.
“My daughter was in tears every day for a week when we said we were selling the house,” Cecilia said. “She gets upset to the degree that my husband has had to promise her a puppy.”
Robinson in front of the striking mural she commissioned from Auckland artist Flox. Photo / Ted Baghurst
Thomas – who as a toddler marched around the double grammar zone house when he first saw it at the open home five years ago and declared that it was going to be his new home – was more accepting, but also sad to be leaving, she said.
It’s easy to see why the Robinson children have become so attached to their stylish home. As well as having very cool bedrooms with designer wallpaper, they have a playroom for their toys, and there’s also a family room/media room with drop-down screen.
Outside, along with a swimming pool, there’s a mini artificial grass soccer pitch plus a playhouse that is modeled on the main house and comes with a trapdoor and a slide. There’s also space in the garden for a trampoline.
Robinson with My Food Bag co-founders Nadia Lim and Theresa Gattung. Photo / NZ Herald
“I understand why they are sad - it’s a great home for kids,” Cecilia said.
When Cecilia and James bought the house they were looking for somewhere that was not only kid-friendly but would also provide a sanctuary away from their busy corporate lives. At the time they were running My Food Bag and wanted to come home to a relaxing haven.
The carried out an extensive and meticulous renovation in 2017-2018, doing everything from adding double-glazing and a heating system through to landscaping, upgrading the bathrooms and tastefully redecorating.
The double grammar zone house boasts a an outdoor pool. Photo / Supplied
Cecilia was particularly keen to transform the kitchen, which had been poorly designed. “I’m a bit obsessed about kitchens and we spent a lot of time figuring out what we wanted so it would be a lot more user-friendly,” she said.
The bright white kitchen now has lots of storage space, engineered stone bench tops and subway tiles. Made by AVEORA Design Studio of Parnell, it not only looks stunning but is very practical.
The kitchen has been completed transformed to be a lot more user-friendly. Photo / Ted Baghurst
Outside, the covered deck is used as another room in the warmer months. Inspired by the birdlife in the garden, the Robinsons commissioned Auckland artist Flox to paint a striking mural that features colourful native birds and plants a on a side wall
“It’s just amazing – it’s what people always talk about when they come here.”
The house has proved to be very flexible – for example, when lockdown began in March a downstairs room was turned into office so James and Cecilia could continue working on their latest venture, digital healthcare business Tend.
With all the hard work done, Cecilia and James are ready to tackle another project. They also want more room for guests – in non-pandemic times they host a lot of visitors from Cecilia’s native Sweden, who tend to stay for months rather than weeks. “It is time to move but we are taking good memories with us,” says Cecilia. “This has been a very happy house.”
Find out more about the listing here:
